Things to do in Chiang Mai
From Doi Suthep and the Old City's temples to ethical elephant sanctuaries, khao soi and cooking classes, Muay Thai and day trips to Chiang Rai and Pai — experiences for every traveller
Top experiences in Chiang Mai
The most-loved activities by Chiang Mai Trip readers — instant booking, free cancellation on most tours.
Chiang Mai: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary with Lunch & Transfer
Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike
Chiang Mai: Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour
Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Eco-Friendly Tour
From Chiang Mai: White Temple & Golden Triangle Day Trip
Taste of Chiang Mai: Michelin Guide & Street Food Tour
Chiang Mai: 2-Day Jungle Trek with Elephant Farm & Raft Ride
Flight of the Gibbon Full Day Chiang Mai Zipline Adventure
Browse by category
Chiang Mai highlights
The Old City's moat and temples, Doi Suthep mountain and Nimman's cafés — the must-sees every first-timer plans around, with honest scam tips
8 guides
Temples & shrines
Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man in the Old City, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the mountain — which temples are worth it and the dress code
10 guides
Elephant sanctuaries
Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Mae Rim, Mae Wang and Mae Taeng — feeding, no riding, and how to tell a genuine sanctuary from a tourist trap
8 guides
Cooking classes
The best Thai cooking classes — market-to-table courses, what you'll cook and which class suits beginners, families or foodies
7 guides
Food & markets
Where to eat khao soi, Chiang Mai's signature curry noodle, plus Warorot Market and Chang Phueak street food, decoded and honestly rated
12 guides
Trekking & hill tribes
Jungle trekking with Karen, Hmong and Lahu hill tribes — multi-day treks, waterfalls and villages, and how to pick a responsible operator
8 guides
Nature & waterfalls
Doi Inthanon's Kew Mae Pan trek and Wachirathan waterfall, the tiered Sticky Waterfalls at Bua Tong, and the Mae Sa waterfall and valley
9 guides
Adventure & outdoors
Ziplining with Flight of the Gibbon, whitewater rafting, ATV rides and the Grand Canyon at Hang Dong — Chiang Mai's adventure activities compared
8 guides
Wellness & spa
Traditional Thai massage vs. luxury spas around Nimman and the Old City, and how to spot a genuine one
7 guides
Day trips
Chiang Rai's White Temple, the Golden Triangle, the road to Pai, Doi Inthanon and Chiang Dao — DIY vs. tour, honestly compared
12 guides
Crafts & Lanna culture
The Bo Sang umbrella village, San Kamphaeng handicrafts, Wualai silverware and Baan Tawai woodcarving — Lanna culture and where to see it made
7 guides
Night markets & shopping
The Night Bazaar, Anusarn, Sunday and Saturday Walking Streets and Warorot Market — where to shop and where to skip
7 guides
Tours & sightseeing
Tuk-tuk and bike tours, walking tours of the Old City and songthaew routes — how to see Chiang Mai without wasting a day or getting scammed
6 guides
Family
Chiang Mai with kids — ethical elephant visits, easy waterfalls, rainy-day ideas and what to skip with young ones
5 guides
Photography
The best photo spots in Chiang Mai — Doi Suthep, the moat and temples, Nimman's street art and the hill-tribe villages
4 guides
Muay Thai
Watching a match at a Chiang Mai stadium, how to get tickets, and trying a beginner Muay Thai class
3 guides
Festivals & lanterns
Yi Peng sky lanterns and Loy Krathong in November, Songkran's water festival in April, and the Flower Festival in February
6 guides
Neighborhoods
The Old City, Nimman, the riverside and Chang Phueak — where to wander and where to base yourself
6 guides
Getting around
Red songthaews, Grab, rented scooters, tuk-tuks and bicycles, and getting in from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) explained
7 guides
Trip planning
How many days in Chiang Mai, where to stay, budgets in baht, the Thailand visa and TDAC, solo travel and first-timers
8 guides
Best time to visit
Chiang Mai by season — the cool, hot and green months, the burning-season smoke haze, Songkran and Yi Peng, and the best months to visit
5 guides
Compare & choose
Chiang Mai vs. Bangkok, ethical vs. non-ethical elephant sanctuaries, Doi Suthep vs. Doi Inthanon and what actually pays off
6 guides
Honest planner
Common tourist traps and non-ethical elephant camps, the tours you don't need, what's overrated and honest advice for visiting Chiang Mai
6 guides